According to the United States Department of Labor, employment discrimination can be defined as any action that is based on one of the following protected characteristics:
- Race
- Color
- Religion
- National origin
- Sex
- Age
- Disability
Therefore, employment discrimination can take many forms, including:
- Offensive comments or jokes
- Harassment
- Denial of employment or promotion opportunities
- Discrimination in pay or working conditions
Now, in the context of Christmas parties or gatherings, the crime can manifest itself in various ways; for example, An employee may be excluded from an activity or event because of the religion he practices or the ethnic origin he has. For this reason, and to avoid workplace discrimination during Christmas parties or gatherings, it is crucial to take the following measures as much as possible:
- Do not make comments or jokes that could be considered discriminatory. If you are unsure whether a comment or joke is appropriate, it is best to avoid it.
- Be respectful of the religious and cultural beliefs of others. If you are hosting a holiday party or gathering, make sure it is inclusive of all employees, regardless of their religious or cultural beliefs.
- Offer options for employees who do not celebrate Christmas if you are the employer. That is, organize an event to celebrate on a different date or, if you don’t know how to approach the topic, ask for help from relevant institutions or people.
- Communicate ideas clearly. Employees and benefits must know that employment discrimination is not tolerated in any form in the workplace, so these meeting and fraternity spaces serve to reaffirm this idea and socialize.
Therefore, we invite you to celebrate this Christmas and New Year responsibly. If you believe that you were, or are being, a victim of discrimination for any of the reasons indicated above, contact us and start taking legal action so that you can find the well-being you deserve in the space for which you work.